State Fair Equine Competitions begin Thursday

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The Missouri State Fairgrounds will be in stride this week in the lead up to the 112th Missouri State Fair with the opening of the 4-H and Future Farmers of America Horse Show beginning Thursday, followed by a Society Horse Show beginning July 29.

“Horse shows are an impressive part of the Missouri State Fair competition schedule,” Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe said in a press release. “The 4-H and FFA Horse Show and the Society Horse Show are held in advance of the Fair, in part because of the significant number of entries hosted during the 11-day Fair.”

Thursday’s pre-fair show classes will feature 4-H and FFA youth competing from all over the state. It will run from July 24 to 27 and will be under the direction of the Fair’s equine Superintendent Jamie Daniel. Thursday will kick off the competitions at 2 p.m. in the MFA Arena. On Friday the competitions will begin at 8 a.m. in the Mathewson Exhibition Center and on Saturday and Sunday times are 7 a.m. in the Coliseum and 8 a.m. in the Mathewson Center.

Fair Marketing Director Tammie Nichols said there are more entries this year for the 4-H and FFA equine competitions.

“The horse show begins this Thursday and it looks like the numbers are really good,” she said. “I know they are good and strong.”

The shows are up by 40 entrants this year, counting both 4-H and FFA youth, with a total of about 400 entries.

“It’s a busy, busy time time right now,” Nichols said. “We’re just finalizing details and making sure everybody’s got what they need. But it’s a fun, exciting time.”

The Society Horse show will open July 29 and run through Aug. 2 in the Mathewson Center. It is directed by Superintendent Lenard Davenport.

“I encourage the public to attend these shows,” Wolfe said in the release. “There will be some new additions this year that should be entertaining to watch, including the Open Gaited Breed Division. Classes in this division will include the Water Glass, Vintage Costume Mounted and Mars/Venus Open.”

Nichols said the public is “absolutely” invited to attend both horse shows.

Starting times for the equine competitions are tentative for both FFA and 4-H and the Society Horse Show; for a complete schedule visit mostatefair.com/equine-schedule.

For more information about other equine competitions hosted during the 11-day Fair, visit mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3427).

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